Fine Silver Coin - Water-lily and Venetian Glass Leopard Frog (2014)

This is the fourth coin of a much sought-after series featuring hand-crafted Venetian glass creatures.

Found in Canadian province and Territory except Yukon and Nunavut, the leopard frog is aptly named for the irregularly shaped black spots that dot its brown, greenish-brown, or green skin. It lives in a variety of habitats including wetlands in prairies and woodlands in summer for feeding. In the fall it usually moves to ponds, streams, and rivers which do not freeze to the bottom. In the spring it emerges to seek out ponds and marshes for breeding. It is there that the tadpoles will develop.

The leopard frog consumes nearly any animal that fits in its mouth, be it insects, worms, smaller frogs and even birds or garter snakes. The hunter becomes the hunted if it encounters predators such as fish, water snakes, turtles, herons, raccoons or even larger frogs.

These freshwater perennials are remarkable plants. At the surface, their buoyant evergreen leaves form a canopy that become resting places for dragonflies, beetles and even small turtles. Nine species are native to Canada, including the widespread yellow pond lily. Often dotted with a large, fragrant blossom that opens in the morning sun and closes in the afternoon, these plants are anchored to the muddy lakebed by a long stalk. A glimpse underneath these lily pads reveals a wealth of wildlife competing for cover, making these plants essential to their aquatic ecosystems.

Your coin is the fourth in a series of prized coins that feature a Venetian glass embellishment; the others have sold out quickly. Order yours today!

Special features:
• Your stunning coin’s Venetian glass leopard frog was handcrafted by master glassmaker Giuliano Donaggio in Murano, Italy.
• Murano glass is world-renowned for its bright colours, which beautifully showcases the leopard frog upon a full colour, engraved lily pad.
• Your coin is the fourth in a series that pair engraved and painted flowers with a beautifully detailed rendering of a creature that is native to Canada’s natural landscape.
• Your coin depicts a leopard frog peacefully basking in the sun’s rays atop a bright green water-lily pad, next to the plant’s yellow bloom.
• An impressive gift for nature enthusiasts or conservationists to commemorate a special occasion.
• A spectacular addition to your nature- or Canadiana-themed collection.
• Your coin is GST/HST exempt with a limited worldwide mintage.

Design:
Your coin was designed by Canadian artist Maurice Gervais and features an engraved and painted Yellow Pond Lily (Nuphar variegatum) that occupies the left side of the image field. The blossom is in fool bloom, its outer cup shaped petals opened to reveal the circular pattern of stamens cradled inside. A stunning, translucent green Leopard Frog made of Venetian glass and hand-crafted by Giuliano Donaggio – a master glassmaker in Murano, Italy – sits upon the engraved and coloured green lily pad leaf in the right portion of the image field.

Packaging:
Your coin is encapsulated and presented in a Royal Canadian Mint-maroon box with black beauty box.

This is a great piece of art for any collection. I had thought it was a bit pricey, until I got to hold it, touch it, and marvel at it's craftsmanship. It doesn't get much better than this coin. The RCM does it again!

You can be assured that the Mint fully guarantees the superior quality and craftsmanship of its products. If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, you can simply return it to us in its original packaging within 30 days and we will gladly offer you a replacement (subject to product availability) or send you a full refund. In the case of a defective product, we will accept the return up to one year from the date of purchase.